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Japan

Gotokuji shrine is home to hundreds of lucky beckoning cats called “maneki neko”

As a cat lover, when I visited Tokyo I had to see the famous temple holding hundreds of lucky cat statues. It was quite easy to access from the city and the surrounding area was quaint and full of cat motifs. Supposedly this is where the idea of the lucky cat originated. Legend tells of a cat that guided a lord to safety in this very building during a harsh thunderstorm. There are some competing theories. Some say the lucky cat came from Kyoto or is a creation from a Chinese proverb (source)

Whether it’s the legitimate birthplace of the maneki neko or not, Gotokuji Temple is an interesting and serene spot to visit as a tourist. It brings you far away from the hustle and bustle of city life in Tokyo. Gotokuji temple doesn’t get anywhere near as much footfall as other famous religious spots in the region such as Meiji Jingu or Sensoji so it’s a nice spot to explore this aspect of the culture at your own pace.

The surrounding suburb contains lots of little shops and cafes, many with cat-themed decor. You can easily spend half a day here and get a bite to eat. The streets themselves have plenty of cute cat art. Even electricity polls are decorated with paw prints. I’ve shared some of my favorite photos from the day in the small gallery below.

Lucky cats at Gotokuji Temple

Lucky cats at Gotokuji Temple

Gotokuji Temple

Lucky cats at Gotokuji Temple

Prayer boards at Gotokuji Temple

Prayer boards at Gotokuji Temple

The streets surrounding Prayer boards at Gotokuji Temple are full of cat motifs

I've owned cats my whole life and now we have two. Saus (short for Sausage!) is a female lilac-point British Shorthair and Poki is a male tabby Siberian Forest cat. Hearing from readers makes my day so please drop me a comment or email about anything cat-related (or just to say hi!).